The Salem Police Department has released their report for the month of October. The department responded to 14 accidents during the month. Officers responded to 23 alarms sounding and addressed 31 animal calls, investigated six assaults or fights, three burglaries, performed 9 well-being checks and 19 area checks in October. Police investigated 14 domestic disputes, 10 verbal and one physical disturbances, conducted 61 follow-up investigations, and provided 24 escorts. They investigated 5 harassment reports, 4 nuisance violations, two parking complaint calls, 4 intoxicated pedestrian report, one intoxicated driver, 7 shoplifting reports and offered assistance to two motorists. The Salem Police wrote 6 property damage reports, made 4 stealing reports, wrote five trespassing reports and responded to four traffic complaints. Officers responded to two reports of suicidal persons, 17 suspicious circumstance calls, two suspicious person calls, and 7 suspicious vehicle calls. Officers attempted to serve five warrants and conducted 62 traffic stops during the month. The police responded to a total of 548 incidents in October with the average response time to calls being two minutes. The average time spent on the scene was 25 minutes and 35 seconds.

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors regular meeting will be this evening at 7:00 in the hospital library. The meeting is open to the public and can be attended electronically or by telephone. If you would like to attend through these methods contact the SMDH administration office at 573-729-6626 ext. 4005. After roll call the board review the minutes from the October and November board meetings. The CEO will give his report. Then the hospital report to include summary of operations and statistics, 340 B program, CNO report, human resources update, and quality information. Then the Chief of Staff report, before old business. Next will be new business to include medical staff bylaw review and hospital policies for review.

The Taum Sauk Mountain State Park and Jay Nixon Backcountry conceptual development plan meeting originally scheduled for November 9th, will now be held on Saturday, December 7th at 9:00 in the morning. The guided hikes being held in conjunction with the meeting, including the overnight trip to Jay Nixon Backcountry, are also postponed due to flooded trails. Representatives from Missouri State Parks invite the public to attend rescheduled informational meetings for both the Taum Sauk Mountain State Park and Jay Nixon Backcountry on Saturday, December 7th. The public is invited to share comments and ask questions about the facilities and their operations. These informational meetings are being held in conjunction with the two parks’ conceptual development planning open house. The open house will be held at Taum Sauk Mountain State Park. In the event of inclement weather, the open house may be moved, but an update will be provided prior to the date. As the long-range plan for the park is updated, the public is encouraged to come learn more about the planning process, ask questions and provide input regarding future park use and development. A 30-day comment period will begin December 7th with a survey available online at mostateparks.com/CDP. A guided hike to Mina Sauk Falls will be available for those attending and will begin at 10:30 December 7th and it is a strenuous 3.5-mile hike. Input from the public is important to Missouri State Parks. The meetings will inform the public on the current status and future plans for the park or historic site and offer visitors the opportunity to comment on the facilities.

The Creative Arts Center in Salem will hold a class on designing your own Pet Bowl on Saturday, November 23rd from 10:00 in the morning until 12:00 noon with Danielle Norris. Come and customize your very own non-spill ceramic made for smaller dogs and cats. Students will paint them and seal them for pet use! This class is perfect for all ages! Children must have an adult present to assist. The cost of the class is $15 and all supplies are included. There must be ten people sign up to hold the class and it will be limited to 30 participants. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center.